Location

Welcome,

The Hotel Jonic is located in Portopalo, a small town in the far south of Italy bathed by the Ionian and Mediterranean seas. Opposite stands the beautiful and wild island of Capo Passero, where the clear waters of two seas meet.Our hotel is located about 100 meters from the sea.The rooms are equipped with bathroom with shower and hairdryer, air conditioning, refrigerator, TV, free wi-fi, telephone, and most, has veranda overlooking the sea.

How to reach us

By Plane:With a stopover at the airport of Catania Fontanarossa (100 km).

By Train:Get off at Syracuse (50 km) and use the bus service.

By Boat:By means of Tirrenia ferries stop being in Palermo and Catania. Possibility of cars.

By Car:- Coming from Syracuse (50 km): We must take the Siracusa-Gela motorway and exit at Noto to Pachino and then proceed to Portopalo.

- From Ragusa (50 km):The shortest route is the road that crosses the south-west sicilian towns of Modica and Ispica, and then to proceed to Pachino and Portopalo.

By bus:To reach Portopalo using the bus service you should visit the site "www.interbus.it" where you will find all the schedules for all destinations.

Notes on the online booking service

From June 15th to September 15th the online booking service does not provide availability for stays of less than 3 days (7 days in the middle period of August). For other requirements, information or special requests please contact us via phone or email.

Portopalo di Capo Passero

Portopalo is the southernmost country of Italy, located on the seashore, or rather the two seas, because right here you can see the physical encounter of the waters of the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean. The town was founded in 1778 by Baron Don Gaetano Deodato Moncada, but human settlements in this area date back to a more distant past, as evidenced by the recent discoveries of early Christian archaeological finds at "Scalo Herds", one of four districts in which Portopalo is divided.

Today the country has about 3000 inhabitants and its economy based on fishing and agriculture, but also the tourism sector in recent years is expanding greatly.The fishing port, the second of Sicily, after Mazara del Vallo, is well equipped and every day, the return of the fishing boats, you can see the charming and characteristic "Fish Auction". Here you can moor small tourist boats.Agriculture is mainly based on the cultivation of the famous cherry tomatoes of Pachino, which Portopalo before being autonomous municipality, was fraction. It 'also the widespread cultivation of grapes, melons, and vegetables.

The coast is various and jagged: long sandy beaches alternate with cliffs and, within them, they open unexpectedly small beaches, offering a variety of landscapes and unique morphology. Portopalo is thus an ideal destination for those who love the sand and for those who prefer the rocks, and even, within a few meters, you can have one and other. The seabed, rich in fauna and flora, are an attraction for the lovers of underwater fishing (sea bream, grouper, sea bass, snapper and other fish still inhabit our seas).

Portopalo has ancient traditions in the event popular, secular and religious. Among the most important are those related to the Easter holidays: during the whole period of the "Passion of Christ", culminating in the evening of the "Good Friday", a group of singers performing "U Lamientu" ("The Lament"), an ancient chant popular in the Sicilian dialect that tells all the stages of the suffering of Jesus Christ. Easter Day is held instead "A Paci" ("The Peace"), which consists in the encounter between the Risen Christ and Madonna. The summer event that attracts more people is definitely the "Week of the Sea", an event which takes place within the "Palio del Mare", a boats race in honor of the patron Saint Gaetano, and "Fish Festival ".

Distance from the places of interest

Name

Distance

Mode of Transport

Price

Distance in time (min)

Airport

Catania Fontanarossa

100 km

public transport

€ 70 for oneperson. € 80 from2 to 6 persons

80

Beach

"Collo" Beach

100 m

walking

2

City center

Portopalo

200 m

walking

3

Sea

Terrace of two seas

100 m

walking

2

Bus

Bus stop

400 m

walking

3

Nearest City

Siracusa

60 km

public transport

60

Highway exit

Noto

20 km

by taxi

30

Surroundings

Capo Passero Island

The Island of Capo Passero is a must for all those who choose Portopalo for their holidays. Lapped by crystal clear waters, the island faces the country with its characteristic shape and is of significant importance both from the standpoint of historical and natural features.

In its upper part you can still see the remains of an old Aragonese Swabian castle, the castle of Charles V, which was destroyed by the pirate Dragut back in 1576.

Going to the beach, meet some buildings that were formerly used for storage by the old fishermen on the Island of Capo Passero had one of the foundations of the old tuna.

Currents Island

When it comes to these parts of the Island of the Currents, rather than the island itself is intended to indicate the entire area in which it is contained, an area for its morphology will call to mind the African landscapes.

The Island of the Currents is little more than a big rock to reach the mainland by a small jetty.

The climatic conditions in this part of the Mediterranean are particularly favorable for those who want to surf the wave and wind surfing, while the beautiful beaches in front of the island and the island itself, will welcome all who wish to take a bath sun and sea.

The "Tonnara"

The "Tonnara" is a splendid example of industrial architecture: the lodge and the factory for tuna processing, the great furnace, storage barrels and salt, the characteristic church of the Annunciation of the seventeenth century, there came the tuna that are, Over the centuries, an important economic resource for the entire population of the place.

For decades, the first days of March, began a feverish activity: the great oak boats, nearly twenty feet long, were pulled from store to "pitch to coat 'keels and re-examined as to the sea after so many months of rest.

The 'Rais' men chose divided them into teams, check and repair the heavy nets, they loaded up the big island still positioned at the bottom to form corridors that would lead forced the tuna in the "death chamber".

There, in the seething sea, between the cries and splashing water bloody cruel ritual would be repeated each year that gave work to the people of the area.

Then he returned to shore to unload the huge landing of tuna prey where everything was ready with the trucks were transported into the great hall where the tuna were hung by the tail and immediately gutted and cleaned.

After slaughter they made their way to the furnaces for boiling water: the smell is felt for miles. Finally, the conservation with the genuine olive oil produced in the hinterland.

Gradually, the number of tuna caught began to decline steadily, until "arming" the slaughter became uneconomical would put an end to a world steeped in tradition.

"Scalo Mandria" (Terrace of two seas)

In this area, which always returns objects of antiquity (amphorae, coins, fragments of small objects in bronze), the archaeological excavations are in their infancy: they were already brought to light the remains of an ancient settlement, which remain evident traces of intense activity linked to the sea, including: large tanks that were used for the preparation of the "garum (a food derived from the maceration of the intestines of mackerel and tuna fish considered a delicacy in ancient Rome), a necropolis (III-IV sec. AD), a series of caves of prehistoric times.

In the same area there are features pastel-colored houses, dating from the late eighteenth century, where the fishermen lived then.

Today the square has been completed called "Terrace of the Two Seas' as it is possible to admire the Ionian and Mediterranean.

"Tafuri" Castle

The Castle, contrary to what may seem, it is of fairly recent construction.

Its construction began in 1933 at the initiative of the Marquis Bruno di Belmonte material using the large quarry of the Island of the Currents.

The work, designed by Saverino Crotti of Florence, was completed in 1935 and became the property of Tafuri family in the late 50's.

The Fishing Port

A few hundred meters from the town opens the most important fishing port in eastern Sicily, with the adjoining fish market where every day is a large amount of landed fish.

The departure of the vessels takes place at 2 am and when the next afternoon the fleet, full and tired returns to port, there is the characteristic of the fish auction.

Nature Reserve Vendicari

On the way to note, only 15 km away, is the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a beautiful corner of nature that is well worth a visit.

Large sand dunes bordering a long sandy beach separated by a series of ponds where they will remain, at different times of the year, countless species of migratory birds.

Inside you can find various archaeological remains: the church and the Byzantine necropolis, the fifteenth-century tower and the ruins of Sveva tuna.

Places of the Sea

To go to the beach you'll be spoiled for choice: the variety of the coast, from sandy beaches to cliffs caters for all tastes.

At 100 mt. from the hotel's beach herds Scalo (pictured at right) and the beautiful cliff near the trap, from the beach in the summer months, by the pedal or the boat that is constantly shuttling you can reach the nearby island of Cape sparrow, with its beautiful beach. I can reach even more willing to swim because of its proximity to the coast of the island and the low depth of the bottom (if you know the path you can reach the island on foot without ever swim).

Isola delle Correnti you can swim in the beautiful beach opposite the island and in the beautiful beach of Carratois.

Along the coast between the village of Marzamemi Portopalo and you can find several beaches and the characteristic cliff called "Water Palomba" where there is a source of fresh water. Marzamemi addition there are the beautiful beaches of San Lorenzo.

For lovers of peace you can go wild in the natural oasis of Vendicari beach (15 km from the hotel) and swim in crystal blue sea and unspoiled. In the same area is located in a small corner of paradise, the beautiful beach Calamosche.

Excursions

The hotel can be the reference point for excursions to major cultural, scenic and natural beauty.

Between Portopalo and Syracuse

A 6 km from the hotel Pachino, the birthplace of Vitaliano Brancati. Today the center is renowned for the production of cherry tomato. The traditional culture of the place, however, has always been that of the vine that produces the grapes from which are obtained very fine wines. For many years our fortified wines are also exported to France and then be cut with lighter wines. To visit the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the heart of the city, the Market and the Cathedral Church.

At 8 Km from the hotel, along the sea, we reach the village of Marzamemi typical fishing village where you can visit the "balata," the old trap and the square where you find the small church of 700, the Palace Villadorata and characteristics of houses of fishermen. Marzamemi today is a tourist busy in summer.

Pachino Noto from continuing to reach the Oasis Natural Vendicari (15 Km from the hotel). Here you can tour the reserve.

We then come to Noto (25 km dal'albergo), capital of Baroque, built a utopia, a city planned and built as a work of art, imbued with an emblem of the symbols of the civilization of the eighteenth century. In 2002 the town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Acreide Palazzolo, Scicli, Modica and Ragusa.A few miles you can visit Noto Antica: the old city destroyed by an earth

quake in 1693.

A 6 km from Noto you come to Avola, a center that gives its name to Nero d'Avola, a grape variety from which we obtain the finest wines of Sicily. Well known and exported all over the world almond pizza.Predominant architectural style in the city is the Liberty. Also used the floral style, treated by skilled stonemasons who, with great creativity, transformed the facades of houses and his own real stone decorations.

In the mountain area behind Avola, Cava Grande is the most spectacular. In the bottom of the quarry Cassibile the river that creates crystal clear lakes along its course, the goal continues to hikers, to achieve, venture into a twisty and steep.

Forty-five minutes drive from the hotel Siracusa, the most beautiful cities of the Mediterranean, rich in history and has seen a succession of monuments in more than three thousand years, important expressions of the greatest civilizations.

Montana Zone

The mountain area of ​​the province of Syracuse is a place of extraordinary interest from the point of archaeological, cultural and landscape: Palazzolo Acreide (Unesco World Heritage) is rich in Baroque monuments surrounded by ancient neighborhoods built on steep slopes that give glimpses of wonderful views. To visit, among others, the Greek Theatre in a panoramic position, overlooking the valley dell'Anapo.

Proceeding meets Buscemi, a rare example of a country-museum with the presence of beautiful Baroque architecture. Buccheri, which keeps track medieval churches and buildings are decorated with eighteenth century. It is an ideal place for excursions in an environment still perfectly intact.

Cassaro can be reached from the Necropolis of Pantalica, perched along the walls of the deep pit of dell'Anapo beautiful valley, is the largest necropolis in the Mediterranean: over 5000 graves in man-made caves, dug deep into rocky ridges make it similar a honeycomb. Dell'Anapo Valley is a place of rare beauty (now State-owned area of ​​natural interest) which includes a part of the Necropolis of Pantalica. For visits, one uses a free service that takes visitors accompanying them along the 13 km of the protected area. You can swim in the river in an unspoiled natural scenery.

Between Portopalo and Ragusa

20 Km from Portopalo, through Pachino, one arrives at Ispica. Here you can visit the Park of the Force and the Cava d'Ispica, striking overlap of pre-Greek necropolis, the catacombs, Byzantine tombs and cave dwellings from prehistoric until almost the present day.

Continuing on, you reach first and then Modica Ragusa (Unesco World Heritage), a city built on the steep walls of caves of extraordinary beauty and scenic grandeur, from the baroque buildings of great charm. Splendid Baroque church facades.

Coming back one can go from Scicli (UNESCO Heritage) and then along the seaside, the fishing villages of Donnalucata and Sampieri, and therefore, by the modern town of Pozzallo.

Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone

At Piazza Armerina you may visit the Villa Romana del Casale, the best preserved in the world and famous for its mosaics.

Caltagirone is the capital of Sicilian ceramics, the famous Scala Santa Maria del Monte.

Catania, Etna

An hour and a half's drive you can reach Catania, a city between the mountains and the sea that enchants the visitor, especially in the most beautiful streets: the Etna, in a gentle slope to the background of the volcano, and the way of Crociferi , full of sumptuous churches.

From Catania you can start to visit the vast territory of the Etna. Around the big volcano extends a unique and unparalleled, rich sounds, scents and colors. A district enchanting landscape, protected by a natural park that anyone in Sicily can not fail to visit. The territory of the Etna Park stretches from the summit of the volcano to the upper belt of Etna villages.

The Cuisine

The Cuisine, curated by Mrs. Dora, is based mainly on typical local dishes of fish, given the presence of the most important fishing port in eastern Sicily.The winery has a good selection of Sicilian wines.Meals are served in a lovely outdoor veranda.

Penne cherry tomatoes and swordfishSpaghetti with sea urchinsPenne with shrimp and green peppersCouscous with fish and vegetables or seafoodSpaghetti to the seven seasLinguine with swordfish, lobster or scampiSpaghetti with clamsSpaghetti with musselsPasta with sardinesPenne with tunaPasta/Risotto with cuttlefish inkSpaghetti with mulletPasta alla "norma"Sicilian pastaRisotto/Spaghetti "marinara"Penne pistachios or almonds